Everton boss Moyes stays silent over Sky's Anichebe bust-up probe

David Moyes became embroiled in a bizarre stand-off with Sky television on Friday after being quizzed about his training ground bust-up with Victor Anichebe.

The Everton manager took exception to being asked a follow-up question about his blazing row with Anichebe and flatly refused to utter another word in a one-sided interview that was screened in full on Sky Sports news bulletins.

Riled at the way Sky's reporter had persisted, after initially claiming he would ask about Anichebe only once, Moyes fixed him with a glare and remained silent, even when the line of questioning switched to Saturday's home game with Bolton and the job done by rival boss Gary Megson.

David Moyes (left) remained silent when asked about his bust-up with Victor Anichebe by a Sky Sports reporter

When an enquiry about whether the questions were 'that bad' failed to elicit a response, Everton's press officer suggested calling a halt, and Moyes left the room, at Everton's Finch Farm training ground, to do radio interviews.

Moyes tore a strip off Anichebe at training earlier this week after losing patience with his attitude.

After booking a fifth-round tie against Aston Villa without him, skipper Phil Neville revealed how Everton had refused to fall for Rafa Benitez's attempts at mind games.

The Liverpool manager responded to the sides' initial 1-1 draw at Anfield by accusing Everton of being negative and claiming they would have to come out of their shells in the replay, leaving space for the likes of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard to exploit.

Share this article

Share

But Everton stuck to their usual policy of playing five in midfield, with Tim Cahill on his own up front, and deservedly went through with a goal from Dan Gosling two minutes from the end of extra time.

'The comments after Anfield were just a smokescreen,' he said.

'Maybe they were trying to provoke some reaction from us, trying to play mind games, but they never had any chance of drawing us into that trap.

'What pleased me most was that, in training the following day, the main focus was on beating Bolton.

'We know we have bigger challenges ahead than the one against Liverpool.'